How can you get a poem copyrighted?

Question

I'd like to post my poems on various sites for public view, but of course, I wouldn't want people taking credit for them. :p
So, thanks in advanced for youur help!

Answer 1

Post them under a Creative Commons License.

www.creativecommons.com

Technically, anything you create is automatically subject to copyright law; meaning you don't have to register it or nothing. The license, though, gives you some level of proof that the work is yours.

Answer 2

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

another quick way to prove when you wrote something is to mail it to yourself and not open the envelope when in arrives, but just file it paper clipped to a copy of the poem so you know what it is. the date stamp by the us postal service holds up in court if someone starts selling your work as theirs.